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Guitarist Lenny Kaye, a native of North Brunswick, said that he felt trepidation when he heard that Webster Hall in New York City was undergoing renovations. He was relieved at what he saw, he told to the crowd at the band’s Wednesday, May 1 show there.

The show was part of a re-opening week for the esteemed city venue, now owned and operated by BSE Global, Bowery Presents and AEG Live. Jay-Z played April 26 and Smith returns Thursday, May 2.

“I have to say, it’s the same old (blanky) place,” said Kaye to loud cheers.

Well, that might have been too harsh of a review — even if Kaye was using the word as a term of affection, which is a punk rock thing to do. Webster Hall is shined up in an Art Deco kind of way. The wood relief on the balcony recall a 1920s dance hall, and appointments throughout the place suggest an earlier, more stately, time.

But if Kaye meant to say that Webster Hall is not a box with metal detectors, he’s right. Sound wise, it was magnificent. Smith and the band were crystal clear with warmth and power.

As for the band, there was power and warmth there, too. Smith’s vocals had presence and the guys delivered the music with energy, edge and nuance. Smith and crew -- which included son Jackson Smith, Tony Shanahan from Milltown, Jay Dee Daugherty, and a late show assist from Smith’s daughter, Jesse Smith, on keyboards -- delivered nearly two hours of punk rock, poetry, audience interplay and Michael Stipe of REM. He came out and shared a mic a mic with Shanahan on “People Have the Power” after opening the show with a set of avant-garde chants.

Did we mention the New York attitude? Smith had an ongoing rap going with a loud fan to her left until she finally told him to go into the bathroom and gratify himself. She forget a few lyrics here and there, including on a cover of Neil Young’s “After the Gold Rush.” Two fans collapsed about this time next to a side bar.

A wrinkle in the universe?

Both fans seemed to be fine. Smith soldiered on.

“It’s like we never left,” Smith said.

During an encore performance of “Because the Night,” the Webster Hall disco ball was turned on, shooting sparkles of light in all directions and drawing big smiles from Smith and the guys.

A little dazzle that endeared.

Chris Jordan, a Jersey Shore native, covers entertainment and features for the USA Today Network New Jersey. His multiple awards include recognition for stories on both Bruce Springsteen and Snooki. Contact him at @chrisfhjordan; cjordan@app.com

Patti Smith and Her Band setlist

April Fool
Are You Experienced?
Redondo Beach
My Blakean Year
Beds Are Burning
We Three
The American in Me
I’m Free and Walk On The Wild Side
Dancing Barefoot
After the Gold Rush
25th Floor
Beneath the Southern Cross
Pissing in a River
Gloria

Because the Night
People Have the Power

CLOSE

David Crosby and Cameron Crowe talk about the making of their documentary on Crosby and the importance of music education.
Peter Ackerman, Asbury Park Press